All posts by Loretta George

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Police, Sheriff's Office

Narcan Toolkit Comes To Bourbon County Law Enforcement

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Kansas Department of Corrections personnel delivered Narcan, an antidote that will stop an opioid overdose, to area law enforcement agencies Tuesday at the new Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center.

KDOC Administrator Liz Rice along with Andrew Lucht, corrections manager, hand-delivered the boxes of Narcan to several  Kansas first responders on stops throughout the eastern portion of the state.

Allen County Undersheriff Roy Smith, KDOC Administrator Liz Rice, Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin and Fort Scott Police Captain Shaun West pause for a photo of one of the boxes of Narcan delivered to the drop-off site.
Sheriff Bill Martin looks over the boxes of the drug Narcan before they were distributed to the law enforcement officers.

Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, Fort Scott Police Department Captain Shaun West, and Allen County Undersheriff Roy Smith came to the new law enforcement center to pick up the boxes.

Liz Rice provided a news release she wrote that explains the reason for the delivery:
“In Governor Colyer’s March 1st announcement of EXECUTIVE ORDER 18-09: Task Force to Address Substance Use Disorders he shared with us that ‘The crisis of substance use disorder, particularly addiction to opioids, heroin and methamphetamine, has truly become an epidemic in our state and our country’ in that order the Governor called for greater cooperation and collaboration of state agencies, organizations, professionals, emergency response personnel, and others with policymaking authority to address substance use disorders,” according to the news release.
“We are seeing the results of that call to action today with the delivery of the Opioid reversal agent Naloxone to first responders across our great state. Opioid reversal medications are not just for addicts, we need to have them available for accidental exposure as well.”
“First responders are there when an accidental overdose occurs in a home setting or they may have accidental exposure themselves while investigating criminal activity. We want Naloxone available in all situations of Opioid overdose.”
Rice said through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)  $1.3M  was given to The University of Kansas Health System to provide treatment, prevent opioid-related deaths and educate Kansans and health care providers about the Opioid Epidemic.
“The University of Kansas Health System leveraged pharmacy relationships to use grant funds to obtain NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) at the lowest available price for mass distribution to first responders across the state of Kansas.” according to the press release.
“NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray was chosen for its ease of use in delivering Naloxone in a nasal spray for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose.”
Rice said she and Lucht had delivered the drug to law enforcement entities in Labette, Cherokee, and Osage Counties this route and were on their way to Miami and Franklin Counties.
KDOC Administrator Liz Rice shows the dosage units of Narcan,  a nasal spray, which only sprays one dose, she said. Each dose is worth approximately $25, Lucht said.

“We bought enough to get you started, ” Rice said. “This will get it out on the streets where needed. I would put a box in each (law enforcement) car.”

A training video to go along with the drug is provided, she said.
Captain West said the FSPD will provide training for each of their first responders and will put the Narcan in both marked and unmarked vehicles for emergency use.
Sheriff Martin also asked for some to be provided to the Bourbon County Rural Fire Departments, and Rice complied with that request.
Captain West said Narcan “only stops an opioid overdose, it has no effect other than stopping a high.”
For more information about Narcan and the Naloxone Law Enforcement Toolkit:
https://www.bjatraining.org/tools/naloxone/Naloxone-Background
Fort Scott

This Friday, Last Lenten Fish Fry in 2018.

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Community members are served during the Knights of Columbus Fish Fry on March 16.

The Knights of Columbus Fish Fry organizers have been offering fish during Lent for approximately 25 years at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

This Friday, March 23 is the last evening for the fish fry in 2018.

The fish fry is an observance of Lent in the Catholic Church.

Lent is the period preceding Easter that in the Christian Church is devoted to fasting, abstinence, and penitence in commemoration of Christ’s fasting in the wilderness, according to an online dictionary. It runs from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday and so includes forty weekdays.

“Catholics adhere to no meat on Fridays, as abstaining from meat is a part of Lent,” Mark McCoy, Knights of Columbus member said. “Christ gave his life for us, we are making a small gift back to Him.”

The proceeds from the fish fry go to helping agencies in Fort Scott such as the Beacon, Mother to Mother Ministry and Birthline, McCoy said. “A percentage goes to other helping agencies.”

“We have a great time doing it,” McCoy said. “And there is good food, fun, and fellowship.”

The women of the church bake desserts for the event.

“A lot of people get their dessert first,” McCoy said.

The Kennedy Gym at St. Mary’s Catholic Church was full of people Friday, March 16 for the Lenten Fish Fry.
Men from the Catholic Church serve fish, potatoes, spaghetti, green beans, coleslaw and grilled cheese sandwiches for the community Lenten dinner each Friday evening before Easter. Women of the church provide desserts. Pictured from left Paul Milks, Larry Martin and Jim Bambick who served March 16.
Business, Fort Scott

Hoener’s Will Renovate 124 E. Wall: New Liquor Store And Apartments Are Planned

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The “Old Spoiled Brat building” on East Wall will be getting a new purpose.

The Hole in the Wall Liquor Store is moving.

The store, currently at 13 W. Oak will be moving to 124 E. Wall soon.

“Hopefully we will be able to start work in the next month,” Jody Hoener who along with husband Roy own the liquor store. ” We meet with our contractor this week to get our timeline nailed down.”

They have hired Hofer and Hofer of Humboldt to do the work of renovating what is known locally as the “Old Spoiled Brat Building” at the corner of Wall and Scott streets.

“Mike Hofer is a great contractor and an upstanding individual,” Hoener said. “I look forward to working with him and his crew.’

On March 6 Hoener was on the Fort Scott City Commission Agenda for consideration of bids and Community Development Block Grant approval for renovation of the property at 124 E. Wall.

Susan Galemore, a grant administrator for Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission, informed the Commission that this project was recently rebid a second time, according to the city minutes.

The second round of bids produced three bids, with the low bid from Hofer and Hofer in the amount of $150,084. This amount is still about $50,000 over the projected budget for the project as the grant amount is $95,000, according to the city minutes.

City Finance Director Jon Garrison prepared a spreadsheet reflecting the grant in the amount of $95,000, the City of Fort Scott contribution of $30,000, and the Economic Development Grant in the amount of $3,000. The Hoener’s contribution is $49,759. The total project is $177,759, according to the minutes.

” (City Manager) Dave Martin and Jon Garrison at the City have made this project smooth and have been involved since inception,” Hoener said. “We all have the same goal to move our city and it’s economic growth forward. It’s amazing what can happen when everyone is working towards that same vision.”

The Hoener’s will also be adding housing opportunities to the community.

“Our plan is to move Hole in the Wall Liquor to the new building with apartments in the upstairs,” she said. ” In the back, the empty lot is ours too, we will create a patio space for tasting events.”

“We do not own the building at the location we are at now and wanted to make an investment in our community,” Hoener said. “This building (on Wall Street) is an eyesore to the gateway of our downtown and has been for half a decade. It needed to be fixed and what better way than to use our resources and business to work towards our downtown revitalization. (It’s a)Great location. ”

 

Fort Scott, Housing

Bartelsmeyers Given Approval For Alteration of Loft In Historic Downtown

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Bartelsmeyer’s loft apartment, pictured from the front, is above the Tribune Newspaper at 22-22 1/2 N. Main.

John Bartelsmeyer appeared before the Fort Scott Design Review Board Thursday to get approval for renovation of the alley side of he and his wife, Cindy’s loft apartment at 22-22 1/2 N. Main.

The City of Fort Scott Design Review Board met and approved alterations to John and Cindy Bartelsmeyer’s loft apartment. From left clockwise: City Clerk Diane Clay, John Bartelsmeyer, members of the board-Darren Crays, Shane Walker, Peggy Cummings and City Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt. Not pictured are board members Arnold Schofield and Rick Zingre.

The board approved the certificate of appropriateness for the alteration of the Bartlesmeyer property, which is in the historic downtown Fort Scott district.

The function of the Design Review Board is to review requests for Certificate of Appropriateness in the historic district of downtown Fort Scott. They meet on an “as needed” basis.

The Bartelsmeyers will add a garage on the first floor,  and add a bedroom, entryway, and deck to the second floor. Concrete block walls will be on the north and south side of the addition. The garage door will be dark grey steel, as will the trim around the window and door, with a light gray wall siding.

“We’d like to start (the addition) within a month,” Bartelsmeyer told the board at the meeting Thursday. “We’ve been working on this building for three years.”

The approval of the addition will be finalized at the March 20 Fort Scott City Commission meeting, City Clerk Diane Clay told Bartelsmeyer.

The future renovation depiction of the John and Cindy Bartelsmeyer loft apartment, from the alley behind. Zingre & Associates, PA of Fort Scott are the architects.

 

Business, Fort Scott

Glimpses Of Chamber Dinner

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Dinner was served on individually decorated tables, that were sponsored by the Bourbon County Conservation District, Briggs Auto Group, Citizens Bank, City of Fort Scott, City State Bank, Craw-Kan, Diehl, Banwart, Bolton CPA’s,Emerson/Scott, Fort Scott Community College, Fort Scott Vet Center, H & H Agency, HairBow Center, Landmark National Bank, Mercy Hospital, Peerless Products, Smallville Crossfit, Timken, Tri-Valley Developmental Services, Union State Bank, Ward/Kraft Inc. and, Westar Energy.

The 2018 Annual Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Dinner and Awards Celebration was held at the Liberty Theater, March 15.

On the agenda were the social hour, silent auction, dinner, a live auction,  and award presentations.

Guest speakers were Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe of the Kansas Sampler Foundation.

WenDee Rowe and Marci Penner, share a moment with Lindsay Madison, director of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
Jeff Simpson, Cherokee, played the harmonica to entertain guests at the Chamber Annual Dinner.

 

Area News, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Farmers Market Plans For Season, And Is Looking For Honey Vendors

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The Fort Scott Farmers Market group met at Presbyterian Village Thursday evening to plan for the 2018 season which starts the first weekend in May.

The Fort Scott Farmers Market group met Thursday evening to review 2017 and look to this season possibilities.

The market sets up stalls in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site at the north end of Main Street starting in May on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. until noon and Tuesday evenings from 4-6 p.m.

It continues until October.

Market stall fees are $5 per day and there is a $5 application fee to reserve a vendor space. Or there is a discounted fee of $4 per day if pre-paid in the amount of $108 for the 27-week market space.

A new president of the market was elected, Stacey Atkins.

Beverly Brown was re-elected as treasurer.

Stacy Atkins, left, was elected the new president of Fort Scott Farmers Market. Beverly Brown was re-elected treasurer.

Atkins was the secretary in 2017 and that position is still open.

Linda Bower, the president of Fort Scott Farmers Market for two years, leads her last meeting March 15. New officers were elected and plans were made for the 2018 season.

In 2017 the group facilitated:

  • Breakfast on the Bricks, where customers can purchase a breakfast on Saturday mornings while attending the market.
  • Several demonstrations of interest to the community, such as CPR and rain barrels.
  • Tuesday evening strawberry shortcakes social.
  • Once a month raffle drawing, starting in June, with market vendors contributing goods for the prize.
  • The Third Saturday Marketplace, working in collaboration with the City of Fort Scott, the market moved to historic downtown on Main Street once a month.
  • Special music that entertains while customers stroll through the market.
  • Children’s activities.

The group is looking for honey producers, at the request of community members.

Group member Vickie Shead said she has some honey but production has been difficult with the drift of herbicides that have helped to decimate her bee population.

Traditional offerings of this market are veggies, fruit, eggs, crafts, jellies/jams, baked goods, herbs, live plants, nuts,  and pottery.

This year Fort Scott Kiwanis has offered to do Breakfast on the Bricks the first Saturday in May, according to Mickie Kraft, a group member.

Group member Ronnie Brown told about the Bourbon County Food Alliance that he is a part of.

“They were talking about how they could help us, possibly furnishing entertainment, breakfast, public relations, and help with the business part,” Brown said. “They want to see this farmers market extended.”

Brown also mentioned Project 17, which is a regional economic development and community engagement initiative in the southeast region of the state, according to a K-State website.

“Bob Marshall helped initiate it,” Brown said. Marshall was a Kansas Senator from 2009 to 2013.

“Local food is a by-word now,” Brown said. “There is a lot to look forward to, a lot of enthusiasm.”

Newly elected President Stacey Atkins told the group about a program through a Pathways Grant that is seeking input from local food producers.

“On May 3, a Buy and Sell-Meet and Greet will be at 5:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall,” Atkins said. “This meeting will be to bridge the divide between local gardeners and retail food sellers.”

 

 

 

Fort Scott

Family Time In Gunn Park Celebrates Warm Kansas Day

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Several family groups took advantage of a warm Kansas day Thursday at Gunn Park. Temperatures were in the high 60s.

Clayton and Maria Whitson work on an engineering project lesson at Gunn Park Thursday afternoon with children Asher, left, Judah in his mom’s lap and Malachi.
Joyce Metcalf and grandson Trey Arnold enjoy the warm Kansas day Thursday at Gunn Park. Metcalf said they are celebrating the beginning of school spring break.

Area News, Bourbon County

Coalition Helps With Rent, Utility Assistance AND Swim Passes

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The Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition from left to right: Tisha Miller, Rhonda Hoener, DeAnn Welch, Bob Eckles, Sue Emmons, Shana McClure, Doug Altic, Billie Jo Drake. Submitted photo.

A local helping agency provides both a need and a want.

The Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition provides rent/utility bill assistance and additionally, family passes to the Fort Scott Municipal Swimming pool in the summer, with help from  United Way of Bourbon County.

FortScott.Biz is featuring each agency that was granted funding through United Way.

The contact person is Billie Jo Drake,  her phone number is 620-223-5946 and email address is bjducktracks @gmail.com

What service do you provide for our community?

“We have two programs:  rent and utility bill assistance and the family pool pass project.”

When are you open?

“We have no office or office hours.  People who are in need of assistance make their requests through the Beacon (Phone, 620-223-6869 · Address. 525 E 6th St; Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.)  Pool pass applications can be obtained at Buck Run Community Center Phone, (620-223-0386 · Address. 735 Scott Ave; Fort Scott, Kansas 66701) in the spring.”

What percentage of your budget is the United Way grant?

“It varies depending on other grants and donations, but this year it will be about 20 percent.”

Who are the board members?

Doug Altic, Bob Eckles, Sue Emmons,  Shana McClure, Tisha Miller, DeAnn Welch, and Billie Jo Drake.

Area News, Business

Craw-Kan Expanding Service In Bourbon County

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Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative, Girard, is extending its’  “Fiber to the Home” network into the city limits of Fort Scott.

“We will be offering ultra-fast fiber optic internet up to 1 gigabit, high definition cable TV services, and phone service to residences and businesses,” said Zach Adams, Manager of Marketing and Customer Service of Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative.

“We will be providing better, faster, more reliable services using the latest technology at extremely competitive prices,” Adams said. “We will not require residential contracts and do not charge equipment rental fees or installation fees on new customers.”

Internet pricing starts at $50 per month and cable TV packages as low as $39 per month, Adams said.
For current pricing and packages see the business website www.ckt.net

“We are already hooking up customers in select areas and taking orders in Country Club Hills and along Indian Road and West 23rd Street,” Adam said. “Keep an eye on your mailbox for notification of availability in your area!”

Craw-Kan is hoping to expand its customer base and the size of its network footprint, he said.

The current plan is to finish the main trunk line loop through the city and begin building in some neighborhoods along the way.

“Later this year we plan to begin building in the historic downtown district and industrial parks,” Adams said. “Next year we plan to announce a larger scale expansion that will reach a large number of residents.”

  ” We have served a large portion of rural Bourbon county for a long time,” Adams said. ” This is an extension into the city limits.”

The fiber is 100 percent buried, so there is no weather interference, Adams said. ” It is optic (light) rather than electrical so there is no electrical interference. It is a dedicated link, so no sharing with other users.  It provides the most bandwidth available into the home – no speed restrictions based on distance.  It is low maintenance and highly reliable – nearly 99.95% uptime. “
For more information, contact Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative at 620-724-8235

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Fort Scott Preschool To Expand

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The Fort Scott Preschool, at 409 S. Judson.

USD 234 is making preschool for students a priority, according to Nicki Traul, director of curriculum.

“We are very fortunate that students have many opportunities for preschool in Fort Scott,” she said.  “This initiative isn’t to compete with those other preschools.”

Many kindergarten students have not had any early childhood opportunities, Traul said.

“Our expansion is so that we can find those students and get them in a program,” she said. ” The district wants to see that every USD 234 child gets at least one year of preschool prior to starting kindergarten.  We need all the preschools in town to be able to do that.”

Traul is attempting to contact all preschool providers in town to establish an early childhood professional learning community.

“It helps us as a district to work with the other preschools,” she said.  “Why wouldn’t we want to help each other? ”

In an effort to collaborate with other Fort Scott preschools,  Traul has organized a meeting.

Invitations will be sent to area preschools for representatives to meet at 1 p.m. on April 12 in the Fort Scott Middle School Community Room.

Sandy Ellsworth, Greenbush Early Childhood Department, will facilitate the meeting.

The community is welcome to attend.

“We are excited at the opportunity to work with others in our community and the good that will come from that,” Traul said.  “Our students need to be our focus and our priority, as a community we need to support early childhood and help each other.”

The USD 234 preschool is located at 409 S. Judson, in back of the former middle school.

Traul said the USD 234 plan is to carve out classrooms from an existing gym at the preschool.

The gym is partially used for the cafeteria and storage currently.

Nicki Traul, USD 234 Director of Curriculum, tells about the expansion project of the Fort Scott Preschool in the pre-school gym, where the new classrooms will be located.
The Fort Scott Preschool gym is currently partially used for storage as well as the cafeteria.
Area News, Submitted

Senator Richard Hilderbrand Weekly Newsletter March 9

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State senator Richard Hilderbrand 13th district

communications from the state capitol

March 9, 2018 ∙ Week Nine

Quote of the Week:
“The Constitution shall never be construed…to prevent the people of the United States

Who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.”

– Samuel Adams, Debates and Proceedings in the Convention of the Commonwealth

of Massachusetts, 86-87

HARD FACTS:

Many of us have “learn a new language” on our to-do list. With Mango Languages, you can learn over 70 languages right from your own computer (or smartphone!). This online language learning service provided by the State Library is easy to use. Choose from 72 languages including Spanish, French, Mandarin, Japanese, plus many more. Mango uses real life situations and conversations to more effectively teach a new language.  Mango also includes 19 English as a second language options. Use as a Guest or register to track your progress (and for smartphone use). https://kslib.info/Mango

If the page above asks for a Kansas Library eCard number, you may get one at any library in Kansas.  Most people will be automatically recognized as inside Kansas and will not need this step.   Questions: [email protected] or 785-296-3296.  To see all the State Library’s online resources, visit http://kslib.info/eor

It was nice to have a chance to discuss issues in the Capitol, with faculty and students from the Pittsburg State University Social Work Program, this week.

FLOOR ACTION:

MICROBREWERY CONTRACTING (HB 2470): House Bill 2470 allows Kansas microbreweries to contract with other microbreweries to sell and package beer and hard cider. The legislation regulates the amount of beer and hard cider that can be transported between facilities. This bill passed the Senate 39-0.

CEREAL MALT BEVERAGE SALE REGULATIONS (HB 2502): House Bill 2502 allows cereal malt beverage (no more than 6.0 percent alcohol volume) licenses to be subject to state and local taxes instead of the state liquor tax. This bill passed the Senate 39-0.

CONVENTION OF STATES (SCR 1611): Senate Concurrent Resolution 1611 makes the application to the Congress of the United States to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States that impose limits on the federal government. This bill failed 22-16 (The resolution needed 27 votes or two-thirds in favor to pass). I voted against this bill, for the following reasons;

    • Why do we need another resolution calling for a convention of states, when in 1978 the state passed SCR 1661, and in 1995 the state passed HCR 5008, both calling for a convention?
    • We have not clearly defined how we will be picking our delegates to represent our state. We must have a defined process that will ensure that the voice of our citizens is properly represented. (We can’t wait until a convention is called and then do a continuing resolution to address this, like the sponsors of this resolution suggest. To do that would be akin to Nancy Pelosi saying we needed to pass Obama Care so we would know what’s in it.)
    • We have not clearly defined the rules of which our delegates will follow, to ensure that the size and scope of a convention will not produce any “clarifying clauses” on any existing amendments. (The organization that is sponsoring this resolution admitted recently that they had a focus group that was working on a “clarifying clause” for the 2nd Amendment. The 2nd Amendment is already clear enough: “…the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed upon.” If they have admitted to working on this “clarifying clause” what other amendments are they working on?)
    • We have not clearly defined the rules for which the amendments coming out of a convention will be ratified. (Before the convention of 1787, 13 of 13 states were needed to ratify any amendments to The Articles of Confederation. The result of that convention was the new Constitution of the United States that only needed 9 of 13 states to ratify. How did that happen, and why?)
    • If we say that we truly understand that the will of the people includes term limits for public office. Why are we are going to pass a resolution demanding term limits for the US Congress, while we ourselves won’t pass term limits on ourselves.
    • If we truly believe that the will of the people is for the US Congress to have a balanced budget, why do we ourselves balance our budget only by passing record retroactive $1.2 billion tax increases, increasing our own indebtedness, continuing to sweep funds from KDOT, delaying more KPERS payments, and other budget maneuvers to balance ours.
    • If we truly believe that the will of the people is to pass a resolution to impose restrictions on the power and jurisdiction of our US Congress. Shouldn’t we ourselves work on cutting and eliminating our nearly 10,000 active state regulations.
    • We understand the anger and frustration of our citizens when it comes to our elected officials. We understand that they demand change, and they demand it now. We as state legislators just don’t understand that this frustration, anger and need for change includes us as well.

I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to address these concerns. With the state of Kansas already having two active resolutions calling for a convention, we cannot delay in addressing these concerns. The time to correct these issues is now, not after a convention has been called.

SENATOR DOLL’S PARTY AFFILIATION CHANGE:

This week Senator John Doll (I- Garden City) changed his party affiliation from republican to independent. Senator Doll changed his party affiliation to join Greg Orman’s independent ticket for governor.

In 2006, Doll ran as a democrat for US Congress against Jerry Moran in District 1. From 2010-2011 Doll served as the mayor of Garden City and then served in the Kansas House of Representatives as a republican from 2013 to 2016. Doll has been in the Kansas Senate since 2016.

Due to Sen. Doll’s affiliation change and in accordance to Senate Rule 22, the following Senators have replaced Sen. Doll in his committees:

  • Education Committee: Senator Larry Alley – Vice Chair

Senator Bruce Givens

  • Ethics, Elections, & Local Government Committee: Senator Susan Wagle
  • Transportation Committee: Senator Dan Goddard – Vice Chair

Senator Ty Masterson

  • Ways & Means Committee: Senator Susan Wagle

Presenting the Fort Scott USD 234 Debate Team with a Senate Resolution congratulating and commending the members of the Fort Scott High School debate team for their performance in the class 4A state debate tournament.

Senators Hilderbrand and Tyson introduced the following Senate resolution, which

was read:

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 1773―

A RESOLUTION

congratulating and commending the members of the Fort Scott High

School debate team for their performance in the class 4A state debate tournament.

WHEREAS, The Fort Scott High School debate team traveled to Coffeyville,

Kansas, for the 4A State Debate Tournament on January 12 and 13; and

WHEREAS, The team was represented in the four-speaker division by the regional

championship team of Darby Toth, Rebekah Sweyko, Joe Adams and Isabella Provence,

with alternates Kaden Kiwan and Ashtyn Dowell. The team took fourth place to KC

Piper, Bishop Miege and Louisburg by one win; and

WHEREAS, In the two-speaker division, the team took four pairs, the maximum

number allowed for a school. In order to qualify, the teams earned a win-loss record of

50% or better over four tournaments above the novice level. Fort Scott was represented

by the teams of Madison Toth and Mark Adams; Zoe Self and Elizabeth Ngatia;

Brooklyn Lyons and Dalton Womeldorff; and Tayton Majors and Sara Al-Shawish; and

WHEREAS, Sixty teams participated in the tournament and all four Fort Scott teams

broke to double octofinals. In the double octofinal round, Madison Toth and Mark

Adams lost to Nickerson, while Brooklyn Lyons and Dalton Womeldorff lost to

Louisburg. Tayton Majors and Sara Al-Shawish made it to the quarterfinals and ended

up fourth after losing to Topeka Hayden. The team of Zoe Self, a first-year debater, and

Elizabeth Ngatia, a second-year debater, lost in the finals to Wichita Collegiate and

brought home the second-place trophy; and

WHEREAS, The Fort Scott High School debate team has been state champion or

state runner-up in four of the last five years and is coached by Amber Toth, with

assistant coaches Travis Toth and Sarah Bahr: Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas:

That we congratulate and

commend the Fort Scott High School debate team and their coaches for their

outstanding performance in the class 4A state debate tournament; and

Be it further resolved:

That the Secretary of the Senate shall send enrolled copies of

this resolution to Senators Hilderbrand and Tyson, and 18 enrolled copies to Amber

Toth.

On emergency motion of

Senator Hilderbrand

SR 1773

was adopted unanimously.

The senate honored the students with a standing ovation.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN STATEWIDE OFFICE:

On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Elections and Local Government held a hearing on HB 2539 which deals with qualifications for candidates seeking certain statewide office. The bill would list a minimum age requirement to run for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, and insurance commissioner.

Currently, there is not a minimum age requirement therefore any current resident of Kansas is eligible to run. There were two proponents of the bill at Wednesday’s hearing, the Kansas Secretary of State’s office and Kansas House Representative Blake Carpenter. Both noted that a “qualified elector” should be at least 18 years of age.

Wichita Eagle Exposes Web of Special Carve-Outs in Kansas Tax Law

On February 26th, the Wichita Eagle published an article by Jonathan Shorman (http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article202129814.html) discussing the multitude of tax exemptions that are provided in Kansas law. As the article reveals:

“All told, Kansas grants more than $6 billion in credits and exemptions each year, according to a report last fall (http://www.kslpa.org/assets/files/reports/r-17-015.pdf) from state auditors. The vast majority — about $5.9 billion — comes from sales tax exemptions.

Just over 80 percent of what the state gives away in sales tax exemptions is required by the federal government or needed to avoid double taxation, auditors said in a 2010 review. For example, Kansas has a sales tax exemption for food stamps based on federal law.

That means the state directly controls about $1.2 billion a year in exemptions and credits.”

In the past, conservatives in the Kansas Legislature have attempted to reform the process for granting exemptions and/or repeal some with the goal of reducing overall rates for all Kansans. As Rep. John Whitmer said in the article:

“If we had had that kind of revenue coming in, would they have had to do a $1.2 billion retroactive tax increase? Would we be fighting the courts? My take: Yes, because we would have spent all that money anyway. But I’m sure it would be a different picture.”

NFIB: Small Businesses Can’t Afford Higher Property Taxes
https://www.nfib.com/content/news/kansas/nfib-small-businesses-cant-afford-higher-property-taxes/

Key Excerpt:

As we know anecdotally, small businesses rank property taxes among the most despised taxes because they pay the tax whether they are producing income or not. Indeed, our research backs up this claim. In NFIB’s most recent Small Business Problems and Priorities (http://www.nfib.com/assets/NFIB-Problems-and-Priorities-2016.pdf), a publication with extensive research on the problems facing small businesses, property taxes were the 8th most concerning issue, which was just ahead of state income tax rates at 9th.


HOUSE COMMITTEE DEBATES BILL TO HIKE PROPERTY TAXES

House Tax Committee held a hearing this week on a bill that, if passed, could nearly double the statewide mill levy from the current 20.0 mills to 38.43 mills in 2021. This would mean an increase in property taxes collected nearly two-fold.

Details of HB 2740:

Estimated property tax revenues from the current 20.00 mill levy for FY 2019 are $670.3 million.

The Kansas Department of Revenue estimates HB 2740 would increase revenues from the mill levy by a total of $234.9 million in FY 2019, $445.4 million in FY 2020 and $640.5 million in FY 2021.

HOUSE LEADERSHIP RELEASES KANSAS SAFE AND SECURE SCHOOLS ACT

HB 2773, the Kansas Safe and Secure Schools Act, was introduced in the House this week. The act creates the school safety and security grant fund, requires the State Board of Education to develop statewide requirements for public school buildings and requires public school districts to adopt a comprehensive school safety plan, based on the SBOE requirements. The act also allows school districts to provide firearm safety programs and adds an additional 2 FTE to the Department of Education for the management of the Safe and Secure Schools Act.

Details of HB 2773

  • Creates the School Safety and Security Grand Fund, which the State Board of Education will administer.
    • Allows for $5.0 million to be used for infrastructure improvements and training.
  • State Board of Education will develop statewide requirements for public school buildings, which shall include, but are not limited to; building infrastructure, technology and communication systems.
  • School district will be required to adopt a comprehensive school safety plan based on the SBOE requirements, which should include:
    • Staff training
    • Emergency drills
    • Communication procedures
    • Lockdown procedures
    • Evacuation procedures
    • Evaluation of building infrastructure
    • Review of existing emergency procedures
    • Recovery procedures and distribution of safety plan
  • HB 2773 authorizes school districts to provide firearm safety education programs, such as the Eddie Eagle program or any other evidence-based program.
  • HB 2773 also adds 2 FTE to the Department of Education to manage the School Safety and Security Act, with a cost of $300,000 annually.

NEXT WEEK:

MONDAY-

  • Hearing on: SCR 1612, urging the state corporation commission to lower retail electric rates to regionally competitive levels – [Senate Commerce Committee, March 12 at 8:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2441, audits of state agencies; financial-compliance audits; Kansas lottery security audit; selection of auditors, contracts with – [Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, March 12 at 10:30 am]
  • Hearing and staff briefing on (written testimony only): HB 2579, providing compensation for a person who was wrongfully convicted and imprisoned – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 12 at 10:30 am]
  • Hearing and staff briefing on (written testimony only): HB 2571, regulating access to certain law enforcement audio and video recordings – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 12 at 10:30 am]
  • Discussion on: Higher education budget – [Senate Ways and Means Committee, March 12 at 10:30 am]
  • Hearing on: SB 423, amending the Kansas school equity and enhancement act by eliminating the 10% at-risk floor and expanded uses of capital outlay – [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance, March 12 at 3:30 pm]

TUESDAY-

  • Hearing on: HB 2691, modifying notification requirements for the division of water resources regarding multi-year flex accounts and water right applications — [Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, March 13 at 8:30am]
  • Hearing on: Sub HB 2040, increasing the penalties for subsequent violations of traffic regulations prohibiting improper passing of school buses — [Senate Transportation Committee, March 13 at 8:30]
  • Pending referral, hearing on: SB 437, concerning sales and compensating use tax; relating to exemptions, sales of currency, certain coins or bullion — [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 13 at 9:30]
  • Hearing on: (proponents) HB 2506, rehabilitation of abandoned property by cities — [Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee, March 13 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2639, allowing KDHE to collect a fee for fingerprinting individuals maintain or residing, working or regularly volunteering at a child care facility — [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 13 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: SB 436, providing Medicaid coverage for cessation treatments — [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 13 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2581, increasing criminal penalties for the crime of giving a false alarm in certain circumstance — [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 13 at 10:30am]
  • Hearing on: Sub HB 2359, enacting the Kansas cybersecurity act for executive branch agencies — [Senate Ways and Means Committee, March 13 at 10:30am]

WEDNESDAY-

  • Hearing on: SB 362, exempting labor from depreciation in certain property and casualty insurance claims — [Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, March 14 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2465, designating Kansas commission on veteran’s affairs office employees as safety sensate positions subject to drug screening — [Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, March 14 at 10:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2459, amending the Kansas standard asset seizure and forfeiture act and establishing the Kansas asset seizure and forfeiture repository — [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 14 at 10:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2419, state finances; transfers to and expenditures from the budget stabilization fund; transfers to the Kansas public employees retirement fund — [Senate Ways and Means Committee, March 14 at 10:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2602, creating the legislative task force on dyslexia — [Senate Education Committee, March 14 at 1:30pm]

THURSDAY-

  • Hearing on: Sub HB 2147, providing an income tax refund for certain Native American veterans — [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 15 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2505, cities; when mayor is considered part of the governing body for voting purposes — [Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee, March 15 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2597, Sedgwick county designated an urban area — [Senate Ethics, Elections and Local Government Committee, March 15 at 9:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2481, updating the Kansas adoption and relinquishment act — [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 15 at 10:30am]
  • Hearing on: SB 424, establishing the office of education inspector general — [Senate Education Committee, March 15 at 1:30pm]

FRIDAY-

  • Hearing on: SB 435, permitting real estate brokers and salespersons to give clients or customers rebates if disclosed in the purchase contract or listing agreement — [Senate Commerce Committee, March 16 at 8:30am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2524, allowing petitions for a protection from abuse order to include a request for transfer of rights to a wireless telephone number —[Senate Utilities Committee, March 16 at 1:30pm]
  • Presentation on: Joint Senate Select Committee on Education Finance & House K-12 Education Budget Committee — [Senate Select Committee on Education and Finance, March 16 at 1pm]

Below are links to make it easy for constituents to follow the Kansas Legislature:

Website – www.kslegislature.org. It is great for looking up bills, calendars, journals, as well as, the roster in each Chamber.

YouTube of Legislature – http://bit.ly/2CZj9O0 Did you know the legislature is now streaming its proceedings? The YouTube page has an archive of the sessions thus far – including the State of the State and the State of the Judiciary.

Committee Streaming – http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/ The Kansas Legislature is also streaming committees, with every committee room equipped with audio streaming technology.

Thank You for Engaging

Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I hope you’ll continue to engage with me on the issues that matter most to you, your family, and our community. If you are on Twitter or Facebook, I encourage you to follow along with the #ksleg hashtag for real-time updates on legislative happenings in Topeka.

Please know that I am fully committed to addressing the current issues in our state, and I am proud to be your voice in the Kansas Senate.